After 10 wonderful years as Chief Executive of the Assessment Foundation, it’s with great sadness that I’ll be stepping down on the 31st January.

As many of you know, I’ve been splitting my time between San Francisco and the UK since getting married in 2015. It’s certainly been a challenging experiment in transatlantic leadership but as my wife and I are expecting our first child on 1st February, it’s now time for me to take on a new role: becoming a father.

I’ll miss you all. It’s been immensely satisfying to work with such a committed and talented group of people, both my colleagues at our HQ and the teachers and schools leaders at our partner schools across the UK. I’ll cherish those memories. I’m happy to announce that I leave the Assessment Foundation in good hands: Dr Philip Dixon, former director of ATL and author of Testing Times, will succeed me as Chief Executive.

The Assessment Foundation can and must do so much more at this pivotal time. Assessment practice is at a crossroads as curriculum reform advances and we should forge a better path for schools. To do so, we must all remember our true north: improving children’s learning. I believe the Assessment Foundation’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. I look forward to watching its success. Chris Padden, Chief Executive